Inflation Reduction Act
Supreme Court Issues Opinion Reinstating Important Tool for Employers to Defeat FLSA Collective Actions
In a major victory for employers, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion today confirming employers' ability to make an "offer of judgment" to named plaintiffs who are pursuing collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In Genesis...
Delaware Court of Chancery Addresses Director's Duties In Connection With Change of Control Put Provisions
In a recent decision issued by the Delaware Court of Chancery, Chancellor Strine enjoined an incumbent board from impeding a shareholder consent solicitation that sought to install a competing slate of directors. The Court held that the incumbent board likely...
Supreme Court Limits Class Action Plaintiffs' Ability to Manipulate Jurisdiction
On March 19, 2013, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion in Standard Fire Insurance Co. v. Knowles barring class action plaintiffs from using stipulations that limit the amount in controversy to avoid removal from state courts under...
Two Polar Bear Decisions in Two Weeks: Their Significance for Climate Change, Endangered Species and Project Development
The end of February saw a flurry of news regarding the status of the Polar Bear under the Endangered Species Act. On February 20, the US Fish and Wildlife Service reissued its so-called "4(d)" rule regarding the Bear, outlining the...
USCIS Publishes New Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 for Use by Employers Effective Today, March 8, 2013
Today, March 8, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published the new version of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 (Form I-9) to be used by employers effective immediately. Employers are required to verify on the Form I-9...
Supreme Court Holds That Proof Of Materiality Is Not A Prerequisite To Certification Of Fraud-On-The-Market Securities Class Actions
On February 27, 2013, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Amgen Inc. v. Connecticut Retirement Plans & Trust Funds , No. 11-1085, 568 U.S. __ (2013). In an opinion authored by Justice Ginsburg, 1 the Supreme Court...
Employers Must Post New FMLA Poster
No later than March 8, 2013, all employers covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) must display a new poster issued by the Department of Labor. The poster reflects recently adopted changes to FMLA regulations, most of which...
Federal Court Rejects ADA Suit Over Random Alcohol Testing of Probationary Plant Employees
A federal judge in Pennsylvania has dismissed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission challenge to U.S. Steel Corporation's random alcohol testing of probationary employees at one of the company's most safety sensitive facilities. The Court's ruling in this carefully watched suit...
Shot Down by the Gunn: The Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Leaving Malpractice Cases Involving Underlying Patent Issues with State Courts
On February 20, 2013, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in the case of Gunn v. Minton. 1 The heart of this matter is whether the state-based malpractice action based upon an underlying patent infringement lawsuit may be heard in...
Terrorizing patent practitioners: Highlights from oral argument at the Supreme Court for Gunn v. Minton
On January 16, 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in Gunn . 1 The heart of the matter is whether the state-based malpractice action may be heard in state court or whether it must be...
NLRB Plans to Ignore D.C. Circuit Ruling Invalidating Obama Recess Appointments; Validity of Appointment of Richard Cordray as CFPB Director Also Suspect
In what appears to be the continuation of a showdown among the three branches of federal government, the D. C. Circuit ruled today that President Obama's January 2012 "recess" appointments of three members to the National Labor Relations Board ("Board")...
Returning Fire: The Respondent's Brief and Several Supporting Amicus Curiae Briefs in Gunn v. Minton
Earlier we reported on both the U.S. Supreme Court's grant of certiorari in the Gunn v. Minton 1 case decided by the Supreme Court of Texas 2 and the submission of Petitioner's and several supporting amicus curiae briefs. 3 Gunn...
The Debate Rages On Regarding Whether Default Fiduciary Duties Apply to LLC Managers Under Delaware Law
Earlier this year, we reported on the Delaware Court of Chancery's decision in Auriga Capital Corp. v. Gatz Properties, LLC , wherein Chancellor Strine held that traditional fiduciary principles apply to LLC managers or members by default. See Delaware Chancery...
Stripped of Controversial Provisions, Lame-Duck Patent Reform Heads to Obama's Desk
On January 1, 2013—immediately after passing the fiscal crisis bill—the House of Representatives agreed by voice vote (at 11:13 PM) to approve the Senate's Amendments to H.R. 6621. A controversial provision that would have eroded the patent term of approximately...
Opening Shots in Gunn v. Minton: The Petitioner's Brief and Several Amici Curiae Briefs in Support
Earlier this year we reported on the granting of certiorari for the case of Gunn v. Minton 1 from the Supreme Court of Texas. 2 The case involves a claim of attorney malpractice in an underlying patent litigation matter. The...